ARCHIVED: For Mac OS, what is the Apple Guide, and how do I use it?

Note: The Apple Guide is not available in Mac OS X.

The Apple Guide is a feature introduced in Mac OS 7.5 that helps you perform specific tasks. When you invoke the Apple Guide, a floating window (one that is always on top) will appear. It will lead you through a task, showing you what steps to take, then help you perform them.

From the Finder in Mac OS 7.5 through 7.6.1, from the Help menu, select Help. (In 7.5.x and 7.6.x, the Help menu is represented by a question mark icon.) The Apple Guide will launch and you will be able to search for a specific help topic or browse through a topic list. Once you've found your topic, the Apple Guide will lead you through the task. Some control panels and applications also have buttons or their own help menus that invoke the Apple Guide.

In Mac OS 8.5 and later, the Apple Guide has been replaced by an HTML-based Help Viewer. In function they are similar, and for topics that require walk-throughs, the Help Viewer relies on the traditional Apple Guide.

Not all applications support the Apple Guide. Many of those that don't, however, have their own built-in help functions.

Also see:

• What books are available for Mac OS and Mac OS X computers, and where can I find them?